Apple Macintosh LC vs Apple Macintosh Performa 5400/160

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Only show differences

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Share comparison

Macintosh LC compared with Macintosh Performa 5400/160

	AppleMacintosh LC	AppleMacintosh Performa 5400/160
Overview
Released
Released	October 1990	1996
Performance
Processor
Processor	68020 16 MHz (Macintosh LC)	PowerPC 603e (160 MHz, Macintosh Performa 5400/160)
CPU cores
CPU cores	1	1
Memory
Memory	2 MB	16 MB (better)
Storage
Storage	40 MB	1.6 GB (better)
CPU
CPU	16 MHz Motorola 68020 with a 16-bit data path and 0.25 KB L1 cache; no standard paged memory-management unit or floating-point coprocessor	160 MHz PowerPC 603e with integrated floating-point and memory management units, 32 KB L1 cache and 64-bit memory bus. Optional High Performance Module adds 256 KB L2 cache; it is not standard. Current Apple support gives a 40 MHz data path clock.
GPU
GPU	Integrated video has 256 KB VRAM, supporting 8-bit colour at 512 × 384 or 4-bit at 640 × 480; 512 KB VRAM upgrade permits 16-bit colour at 512 × 384 or 8-bit at 640 × 480	1 MB DRAM framebuffer independent of system RAM. Shared Service Source explicitly supports 640 × 480 at 60 or 67 Hz and 800 × 600 at 60 or 72 Hz with 16-bit colour; 832 × 624 at 75 Hz uses 8-bit colour and does not support video input. Current support additionally lists 1024 × 768, but the exact technical specification and shared service manual restrict the built-in CRT to 832 × 624; the higher database row is not adopted as the built-in display resolution.
Memory type
Memory type	2 MB soldered to the logic board plus two 30-pin SIMM slots, populated as a matched pair; 100 ns memory and 2–10 MB total supported by Apple; 512 KB ROM	16 MB standard, comprising 8 MB soldered RAM and one 8 MB DIMM. Two 168-pin 64-bit DIMM slots allow expansion to 136 MB with two 64 MB modules. Use 70 ns or faster fast-paged-mode DIMMs with 1K or 2K refresh. Modules can be installed individually. 4 MB ROM.
Storage type
Storage type	40 MB internal SCSI hard drive and 1.44 MB floppy in the standard configuration reported by Low End Mac; a dual-floppy education version was also offered	Exact 160 MHz maker specification, ordering description and Service Source configuration agree on a 1.6 GB IDE hard drive, Apple SuperDrive 1.44 MB floppy drive and internal 8× AppleCD CD-ROM drive. November 1996 Apple Facts gives a 1.2 GB drive for the broader 160/180 Performa family; that unqualified family figure is not transferred to the exact configuration.
Expansion slots
Expansion slots	One LC processor-direct slot; optional 68881 floating-point card occupies it	One PCI slot for a 6.88-inch, 15 W card; communications slot occupied by the supplied modem; optional video-input card and TV/FM tuner bay. Optional Apple External Video Connector enables mirroring; optional Apple Presentation System provides NTSC/PAL output. NuBus cards cannot be used in the PCI slot.
Display
Screen
Screen	None built in	12.8″
Resolution
Resolution	–	832 × 624
Panel
Panel	–	CRT
Refresh rate
Refresh rate	–	75 Hz
Display type
Display type	–	15-inch nominal RGB CRT with 12.8-inch viewable diagonal and 0.28 mm dot pitch. Noninterlaced flat square tube. Base tilts from −5° to +15° and swivels 360°. Resolution can be changed without restarting.
Connections
Ports
Ports	Headphone jack	2 × headphone jack
Front ports
Front ports	–	Headphone output and volume controls; built-in infrared remote capability. Remote-control inclusion varies with regional configuration.
Back ports
Back ports	Apple Desktop Bus, DB-15 video, DB-25 SCSI, printer and modem serial ports, microphone input and sound output; no built-in Ethernet or external floppy port	One ADB port; two GeoPort-compatible RS-232/422 serial ports, including LocalTalk support; DB-25 SCSI; stereo sound input and rear stereo sound output. Optional DB-15 external-video connector, not a standard fitted port. Built-in 28.8 Kbit/s V.34 data/fax/voice modem supports MNP4, V.42, MNP5 and V.42bis; optional Ethernet replaces the communications-slot modem. No USB or FireWire.
External displays
External displays	Built-in video supports 512 × 384 and 640 × 480 Apple displays; colour depth depends on fitted VRAM	Optional external-video connector provides mirroring of the built-in screen. Connector kit, suitable cable and external display required; external video does not establish an independent second desktop.
Speakers
Speakers	Internal speaker with mono audio input and output	Built-in stereo speakers and 16-bit stereo sound with SRS 3D surround enhancement. Shared service manual identifies separate front and rear stereo output jacks. Headline jack count excludes the sound-input port.
Microphones
Microphones	–	Built-in microphone and stereo sound-input port; the input also supports an external Apple PlainTalk microphone. Shared manual explicitly excludes the earlier Apple Omni microphone from this input.
Keyboard and mouse
Keyboard and mouse	–	Exact maker ordering description includes keyboard, mouse and necessary cables; the CRT, microphone, speakers, modem, CD-ROM, floppy drive and hard drive are built into the computer. Optional TV/FM and video hardware varies by regional bundle.
Design and power
Type
Type	Compact	All-in-one
Weight
Weight	4 kg (better)	21 kg
Width × depth × height
Width × depth × height	310 × 389 × 74 mm	383 × 406 × 445 mm
Operating system
Operating system	macOS	macOS
Size and weight detail
Size and weight detail	Apple's 2.9 × 12.2 × 15.3 inch and 8.8 lb reference dimensions; metric fields are rounded conversions	Exact maker specification gives 445 × 383 × 406 mm (height × width × depth) and 21 kg. Its 17.5 × 15.1 × 16 inches and 47 lb are retained as maker-rounded equivalents. Apple Facts notes weight varies with installed internal devices; no shipping-package mass is used.
Power supply
Power supply	Maximum 50 W; 90–240 V AC, 50–60 Hz; 3.6 V lithium clock battery	220 W maximum continuous input, nominal 110–240 V AC at 50–60 Hz, single phase. Low-power sleep mode supported. Current maker table gives a 4.5 V alkaline clock battery; maximum input is not normal operating consumption.
In the box
In the box	Original System Software 6.0.7. Apple lists 15 October 1990 as introduction; Low End Mac also dates release to October 1990	System 7.5.3 with System Enabler 410, Apple Guide, QuickTime, Macintosh PC Exchange and QuickDraw 3D. Exact October 1996 ordering description and November Apple Facts dealer catalogue establish retail offering in 1996; precise first-sale month or day remains unestablished. Apple's recorded introduction is 5 August 1996. Service Source identifies sale in Japan, Australia and Europe; not sold in the US. This 160 MHz configuration is distinct from the existing Power Macintosh 5400/120, 5400/180 and 5400/200. No unsupported official predecessor link assigned.